Hozenji Temple – close to Namba and Dotonbori and famous for the moss-covered Fudo Myo statue

Hozenji Yokocho is a well-known sightseeing spot in southern Osaka. It is only a four-minute walk from Osaka Namba Station, and right next to the alley is Hozenji Temple. Hozenji Temple is called “Mizukake Fudo” and is adored by locals.

Read more to learn why this temple is called Mizukake Fudoson. We’ll also explore the history of the temple, its benefits, and the red seal you can receive here.

1. Osaka Sennichimae, Mizukake Fudo, Jodo sect, Tenryuyama, Hozenji

The official name of the temple is Osaka Sennichimae, Mizukake Fudoson, Jodo sect, Tenryuyama, Hozenji (henceforth, Mizukake Fudoson).

Mizukake Fudoson is said to have originated in the late 1620s, and Hozenji Temple, which was built by Kinun Hoshi, was originally located in Kitayama Village, Uji County, Yamashiro Province (present-day Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture).

Later, his successor decided to move to Namba based on the legend of “Kinpira Tenno Kenden,” and it is said that the present Hozenji Temple was completed in Namba, Osaka, in 1637. There is also a theory that the temple was once moved to its current location at 8-chome, Uehonmachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, and was relocated to Namba from there.

In 2011, in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of Honen Shonin, the long discontinued pilgrimage was reestablished as the “Osaka New 48 Amida Pilgrimage”. If you are interested, please visit the official website.
Osaka Shin 48 Amida Pilgrimage Official Website

It is said that the area around Hozenji Temple in southern Osaka, came to be called “Sennichimae” because of the “Sennichinen Nenbutsu Kaiten,” a thousand-day Buddhist memorial service conducted by the aforementioned devoted priest since Kan’ei 21, and is still very popular among local people today.

Also located here are Mizukake Fudo (西向不動明王), Konpirado (金比羅堂), Niga Byakudo (二河白道堂), Ohatsu Ojin (岡山最上稲荷), and Jihi-Jiz Son. Let’s find out more about these.

1-1. Mizukake Fudo (Nishimukai Fudo Myo)

The Nishimukai Fudo Myoo, which has grown moss by sprinkling water on it. As to how this happened, Hozenji Temple has a history of nearly 400 years to begin with, but it was not until after World War II that it became a mossy centerpiece.

It is said that the name of the temple originates from a woman who came to Hozenji Temple to pray for her wish to be granted, scooped up the offered water with her hand, and poured it over the Fudo-san.

People continued to pour on the statue, and moss has grown on it, making it look the way it does today. This is the image of Fudo-san after being drenched with as much water as the number of people’s wishes.

First-time visitors may not know how to pray correctly.

When I actually went there, I first bought incense at the temple office, lit it in front of the incense burner, and put the incense in the burner, but what should I do? I was a little worried.

I will explain the reason later, but I think it is because it is a mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism, and because it is this moss-covered obudo-san.

Then, just as I was getting a little nervous, a little old lady from Osaka came and quickly took a ladle and poured water on Fudo-san, clapping her hands loudly, and saying, “Please Fudo-san, make my wish come true,” and then left.

Seeing this, I imitated her and poured water on the fudosan and prayed.

Now, let me explain what you would like to know most about the benefits, as it is related to how to visit the shrine.

Healing of illness
If you wish to be healed of your illness, it is said that it is beneficial to pour water of supplication on the same part of your body as the part of your body that is in bad shape.

Business Prosperity
It is believed to be beneficial to the prosperity of the water business only by sprinkling water on it.

Marriage
If you wish for a matchmaking ceremony, it is said that it will bring you good luck if you gently sprinkle water on the Kogara Doji and Seitaka Doji on either side, as if they were a man and a woman.

1-2. Kompira-do Hall

Kinpira-do has long been a guardian deity of maritime traffic. It is said that this is because Namba used to be a port town. I myself was a bit surprised to learn that Namba used to be a port town long time ago.

Why is Konpira-san enshrined in the city of Osaka? I had this question, but it is said that the sea used to be very close by. It is a surprise, but it is also a story that is possible when you look at Tokyo and other cities.

And, as you read, Namba was known for its rough seas. This makes sense! I thought. So the people of that time enshrined Konpira-tenno, a guardian god of the sea, and prayed for safe voyages and a great catch of fish.

Today, the shrine is worshipped as a god of traffic safety and business prosperity, and the Kompira Grand Festival is held every year in October.

1-3. Niga Byakudo Hall

Niga Byakudo Hall, adjacent to Mizukake Fudoson, is secretly gaining momentum as a new prayer spot in Hozenji.

This “Nigo-Hakudo” is a metaphor for our passage from this world to the other world, where we, who recite the Nembutsu of the Pure Land sect founded by Honen Shonin, after completing our lives on earth, go to the Pure Land where Amida and our ancestors reside. (I guess it depends on the religion…)

And this Nigawa Hakudo Hall is said to be a three-dimensional representation of the worldview of the Nigawa Hakudo, which was preached 1,300 years ago by the Chinese high priest Zendo Daishi.

It also seems that the stone pillar that says “Namu Amidabutsu” standing at the end of the Nigawa Hakudo Hall is the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss we are aiming for.

And the only way to get here is through the “river of fire,” burning on the left, and the “river of water,” rushing on the right, with a single white path through the middle of it. This is the only way to go. We human beings, who are full of worries, are faced with a narrow path where danger is close at hand. We human beings, who are full of worries, hesitate or fear whether to proceed or not when confronted with a narrow path where danger is close at hand.

So, at such times, it is Shakyamuni Buddha who encourages us to “go with peace of mind. And it is Amida who calls out to us, “Believe and come. You can actually hear his voice when you walk through the temple. Please try walking through the temple.

1-4. Ohatsu-Taijin (Okayama Mogami Inari)

A small shrine enshrining Okayama Mogami Inari Daimyojin, one of the three great Inari shrines in Japan, is located on the temple grounds. It is familiarly called “Ohatsu-Daijin” in the Hozenji neighborhood.

It is also popular for its benefits of prosperous business and a good harvest.

1-5. Jihi-Jizo-Son

Hozenji Yokocho caught fire twice, in September 2002 and the following April 2003, and the surrounding stores were badly damaged. At that time, people who loved the Sennichimae area stood up to restore the good old Osaka atmosphere and collected more than 300,000 signatures to restore the area to its present appearance.

On September 9, 2004, two years after the first fire, “Jihi-Jizo-son” was built in an alley on the north side of Hozenji Temple.

2. What are the benefits of the Osaka Hozenji Mizukake Fudo?

Each of them is described, but what kind of wishes do they grant?

Mizukake Fudo (西向不動明王):
Healing of illness, prosperous business, marriage

Kompira-do Hall:
Traffic safety, prosperous business

Niga Byakudo:
Shakyamuni and Amitabha

Ohatsu Ojin (Okayama Mogami Inari):</span
Prosperous business, good harvest

Each bill is also available for sale.The couple who had purchased before me, probably American? The couple in front of me was happy to buy a 500 yen sticker. I was somewhat comforted by their genuineness.

Red seal

A red seal is 300 yen. It is also written in shimbutsu konkou (Shinto and Buddhist syncretism) with the words “Mizukake Fudo,” “Ohatsu Daijin,” and “Konpira Daiou.”

3. Annual events

January: New Year’s first Homa and lion dance dedication
February: Setsubun festival
April: Flower Festival (Nativity of Shakyamuni Buddha)
August: Hozenji Temple Festival
August Jizo Bon Festival
October: Kompira Grand Festival
For more information, please visit the official website.
Sennichimae, Osaka Mizukake Fudoson Jodo sect Tenryuzan Horyuji.

4. Detailed information

5. Accessibility

■Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, Sennichimae Line
2 minutes walk from Namba Station
1 minute walk north from exit B16 of Namba Walk

■Sakaisuji Line, Sennichimae Line
4 minutes walk from Nihonbashi Station
1 minute walk north from exit B18 of Namba Walk

6. Summary

How was it? Mizukake Fudo has a very deep history. It is also a bit difficult to understand because of the mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism.

Shinbutsu-konkou, also called Shinbutsu shugo, is the fusion and harmonization of foreign Buddhist beliefs and Japanese Shinto beliefs. In fact, in ancient times, Japan was a mixture of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. It has been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times, thus it may be a little difficult for us modern people to understand. But I hope you somehow understand it after reading this.

There are many benefits to be gained, and above all, since it is in Namba, Osaka, it will be very enjoyable in combination with the gourmet food. We hope this article will be a good starting point for your visit. I would also like to visit Hozenji Yokocho for a drink when I have time.

*If you want to go sightseeing in Osaka.
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*If you want to date in Osaka.
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*For information on dining in Dotonbori and Namba area, click here.
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